EastEnders viewers couldn’t believe their eyes when Lucas Johnson popped up on screen at the end of last year from the dark confines of his prison cell and, since then, fans have speculated on whether a full time return could be on the agenda.

He appeared again when his ex Denise Fox paid a visit to him inside to talk about his wayward son Jordan and we may have detected that Denise still holds feelings for her serial killer former love.

But according to actress Diane Parish, who plays her, there is no way that Lucas will be making a proper return any time soon. She told Inside Soap: ‘Well I don’t know how many people go around just getting out of prison so easily for that they’re in for – and there’s no question as to whether he did it or not.

(Picture: BBC)

‘It would be the end for Denise, wouldn’t it? “Thank you and good night!” is what they’ll be saying! I can’t see how EastEnders could figure out a reason to get him released unless it was way dodgy.’

Mind you, in a soap that brought Kathy Beale back from the dead, anything is possible. Perhaps Lucas should contact a solicitor firm in Manchester. They did wonders for Tracy Barlow!